Words and Photos: Josh Trotter
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as metalheads from all corners of Nashville descended upon Bridgestone Arena for a night that promised to be nothing short of legendary. With Pantera headlining, supported by the formidable Lamb of God and the opener Nest, the stage was set for a relentless onslaught of heavy riffs, thunderous drums, and electrifying energy.
Nest, the opening act, wasted no time in setting the tone for the evening. Hailing from the underground scene, Nest brought a raw intensity to the stage that immediately grabbed the audience’s attention. Their blistering performance served as a perfect warm-up for what was to come, leaving the crowd hungry for more.
As the lights dimmed and the familiar sound of a roaring crowd filled the arena, Lamb of God took to the stage with explosive energy that ignited the room. From the moment they launched into their first song, the mosh pits erupted, and bodies surged forward in a frenzy of adrenaline-fueled chaos.
Frontman Randy Blythe took the stage with a commanding presence, his gravelly vocals cutting through the air like a razor blade. With each song, Lamb of God unleashed a relentless barrage of punishing riffs and thunderous drumming, leaving no doubt as to why they are one of the most revered bands in modern metal.
Highlights of their set included crowd favorites like “Laid to Rest,” “Redneck,” “Walk with Me in Hell,” and opening with “Momento Mori,” each delivered with a ferocity and precision that had the entire arena shaking. The band’s tight musicianship and unwavering intensity left the audience in awe.
But the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived as Pantera’s iconic logo was spotlighted on the hanging curtain, signaling the arrival of metal royalty. Though it had been years since the band last graced the stage together, their presence was as powerful as ever, and the anticipation in the air was palpable.
As the opening notes of “A New Level” rang out, the curtain dropped, and the crowd erupted into a deafening roar of approval, and from that moment on, there was no turning back. Frontman Phil Anselmo prowled the stage like a caged animal, his primal screams echoing through the arena as he led the band through a blistering set of classic hits and deep cuts alike.
Guitarist Zakk Wylde’s riffs cut through the air like a hot knife through butter, his virtuoso playing leaving jaws on the floor and fists pumping in the air. Behind the kit, drummer Charlie Benante laid down a thunderous groove that drove the songs forward with relentless intensity, while bassist Rex Brown held down the low end with a ferocity that shook the arena to its core.
From anthems like “Walk” and “5 Minutes Alone” to deeper cuts like “Fucking Hostile” and “Becoming,” Pantera delivered a set that was nothing short of electrifying. Paying tribute to Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, they dedicated the show to their fallen brothers. The energy in the room was infectious, with fans singing along at the top of their lungs and mosh pits swirling in a frenzy of bodies.
As the final notes of the song faded away, the band took their bows and bid farewell to the adoring crowd, leaving behind a trail of destruction and memories that would last a lifetime. For those fortunate enough to bear witness to this epic night of metal mayhem, it was an experience they would never forget.
In the end, Pantera, Lamb of God, and Nest delivered a concert experience that was nothing short of spectacular. From the blistering performances to the electrifying energy, it was a night that celebrated the power of heavy music in all its glory. As the crowd spilled out of Bridgestone Arena into the night, there was no doubt that they had just witnessed something truly special.
PANTERA w/ Special Guest Lamb Of God:
2/03/2024 Amerant Bank Arena – Sunrise, FL
2/05/2024 Amalie Arena – Tampa, FL
2/07/2024 Rupp Arena – Lexington, KY
2/09/2024 Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
2/10/2024 FedEx Forum – Memphis, TN
2/13/2024 T-Mobile Center – Kansas City, MO
2/14/2024 Pinnacle Bank Arena – Lincoln, NE
2/16/2024 Canada Life Centre – Winnipeg, MB
2/18/2024 Resch Center – Green Bay, WI
2/20/2024 Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, MI
2/22/2024 Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
2/24/2024 CFG Bank Arena – Baltimore, MD
2/26/2024 Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ON
2/27/2024 Centre Vidéotron – Québec City, QC
End Tour
6/14-16/2024 Download Fest @ Donington Park – Derby, UK #
8/02/2024 Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, MA **
8/09/2024 Soldier Field – Chicago, IL **
8/16/2024 US Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, MN **
8/23/2024 Commonwealth Stadium – Edmonton, AB **
8/30/2024 Lumen Field – Seattle, WA **
# Festival date
** PANTERA supporting Metallica
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